Archive for September, 2012

Not since the days of Haight-Ashbury and psychedelic rock has Seattle been this dry from July to September. With a paltry .03 inches of precipitation in the last 30 days, our three-month rainfall total now stands at 1.07 inches—the second-driest July 1-Sept. 30 period on record. Only the infamous summer of 1967 had less rain, with just 0.97 inches falling at Sea-Tac from July through September.

Of course, 1967 went on to record over an inch of rain in the first three days of October alone. 45 years later, we’ll be lucky to even manage a sprinkle or two. (We’ve barely seen more than that these past two months, with Aug. 1-Sept. 30, 2012 now officially Seattle’s driest combined August/September.)Continue Reading »

In the past two months, the airport has measured just .03 inches, all of it falling in the last two weeks. What’s more, on the three occasions that measurable rainfall has made its way into the gauge, the amount has been the exact same—.01 inches.

You’ve really got to pity that poor gauge—even when it’s managed to rain, variety has been non-existent.Continue Reading »

Today marks the first day since June 13 where the average high temperature is below 70—with 69 degrees the normal high for Sept. 20. Right on cue, after a week with readings in the 70s and 80s, the mercury dropped back to more seasonable levels today, with Sea-Tac topping out at 67 degrees.

Similar temperatures are in store tomorrow, with highs struggling to reach the upper 60s after another round of chilly morning fog. Late in the afternoon, we’ll warm up as sunshine takes hold, but until then, expect gray skies and temperatures only in the 50s.Continue Reading »

One thing’s for certain, however—September won’t end as Seattle’s driest.

Our chances for the driest September on record actually went out the window a week ago, when that streak-busting .01 inches of rain landed in the gauge at Sea-Tac. That’s because the most parched Septembers in Seattle—1991 and 1975—picked up only a trace of rain from start to finish. (Sound familiar, August 2012?)Continue Reading »

When it comes to rain-free periods in the Northwest, there’s no question: Portland owns Seattle, and then some. Case in point: Portland’s longest stretch of days without measurable precipitation is 71—a whopping 20 days greater than our all-time record of 51. Second place on the Rose City’s list? 62 days—two weeks longer than our just-concluded 48-day drought.Continue Reading »